Lt. Colonel Lyman James “Jay” Walker II, of Rockport, Texas, retired US Army officer, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at his home.

Jay was born April 24, 1938, in Kellerton, Iowa at his family’s home, the third child of parents Lyman G. Walker and Anna Baldon Walker.

He grew up on the family farm in Iowa with siblings Robert, Louise, and Barry. One other brother, Eugene, died in infancy. After graduating from high school, he attended Iowa State University where he earned his bachelor’s in architectural engineering. During his college years in Ames, IA, he participated in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Shortly after graduation, he was commissioned in the US Army and stationed at Camp Darby, Italy, near Livorno.

Later, he earned his Master of Business Administration degree at the College of William and Mary, and he attended and graduated from the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

Jay met his future wife, Janet Ann Steele, through mutual friends while she was a nursing student. They were married by his father-in-law, Rev. George Steele, on October 10, 1964, at the First Presbyterian Church in East Moline, Illinois. After the wedding, they moved to Italy where he completed his first tour of duty with the Army. During his time at Camp Darby, he decided to make the Army his career. Jay spent the next 25 years in service to his country in the Transportation Corps. While on active duty, he served a short tour in the Dominican Republic and two tours in Viet Nam. He was also stationed in Virginia, where daughter Julie was born, Hawaii, where son Marc was born, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Illinois, Germany, Belgium, and Texas. He and his family enjoyed time experiencing different places and cultures during his career. After retiring in in 1988, he moved to Searcy, Arkansas, where he had a second career as a home inspector.

He had a life-long interest in photography, particularly enjoying architecture, wildlife, and his family as his favorite subjects. He also used his talents at church recording events like Vacation Bible School, taking Sunday School class photos, and teaching a class open to other members of the church.

Woodworking was another hobby he enjoyed pursuing. Many sketches and diagrams were a part of every project. Over the years, he built a new kitchen in the house in Hawaii, an indoor playset for his kids, a large workbench system for the garage, a mini workbench for his son, a bookshelf for his granddaughter, a massive skateboard ramp for Marc, as well as many birdhouses and little things. He also put his planning and building skills to work on mission trips and projects, helping construct wheelchair ramps, storage buildings, and more.

Faith was the cornerstone of his life, marriage, and family. While he was an active member and volunteer of several churches over his lifetime, he spent the most time as a member of the Searcy First Methodist Church. He participated in several Emmaus walks, men’s ministry, and a variety of mission trips and projects.

His dedication to service extended beyond the church congregation as well. He held a position on the board of the LOGOS One by One ministry for several years. He was passionate about their program to teach the Bible and provide nourishment to children in remote villages in Uganda.

In February 2024, he and his wife moved to Rockport, Texas where they bought a house near Julie and Kevin. Here they joined the congregation at Church Unlimited where he loved to participate and enjoy the worship music at every service.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Walker, his daughter and son-in-law Julie and Kevin Tramp, his son and daughter-in-law Marc and Julie Walker, his grandchildren, Danielle, Chloe, Dalton, and Cooper (Landry), as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Lyman G. Walker and Anna Baldon Walker, brothers Robert Walker, Barry Walker and Eugene Walker, and sister Louise Alexander.

A celebration of life service will be held at Church Unlimited in Rockport, TX on Saturday, September 12, at 11:00 am. Memorial gifts may be made to Church Unlimited, Harbor Hospice, or the LOGOS One by One Ministry in Uganda.

We wish to give special thanks to our pastor, Nick Indridson of Church Unlimited Rockport, Senior Pastor Jeff Jackson of Searcy First Methodist Church, Chaplain Steve Romey with Harbor Hospice, and the exceptional caregivers Gracie Sullivan and Zinnia Grigar